Tag: daughters

Remember that song, the one sung by the one and only Mr. Rogers? It seems so appropriate these days as the temperatures rise, as more and more people venture out from hibernation to enjoy the sunshine.

I know that I mentioned this last week, but I can’t help but share that one of my favourite seasons is just beginning —- SPRING! The freshness and the warm sun just make me feel so renewed.

So in the spirit of Friday favourites, I would love to share with you my top three favourite things from this week (this is a long one today!):

1) Puddles: Who doesn’t like to jump in puddles? Both my daughter and I share this activity. It takes everything in me to resist just jumping right now. In the mean time, my little one sees a puddle and insists that she must walk through the “water … pani” That’s right not only does she jump in puddles she insists on doing it bilingually (English/Urdu).

2) Rain Boots: On Thursday, I walked to/from work in rain boots. Yes I was thankful to be able to wear something more light weight compared to my winter boots. Who would have thought that rain boots would be cool again? There are a must have here in my city. As the crazy amounts of snow melt you are left with beautiful slushy like sidewalks. But they are great for all the “puddle jumping” that I like to do.

3) Friendship

How many new parents feel all alone when they first become parents? How many of you were the first among your group of friends to begin a family? For us, we were the first to have a baby, which meant that we were the first to learn the ropes of being a parent, searched out like-minded parents and had to explain to our friends who were not yet in this situation why we couldn’t go out with the baby past 8pm. We have met great families in our local park, through our daughter’s activities and have become close with the families that I met while on maternity leave. I am so thankful to have met some amazing people and to be able to share in each other’s parenting journeys. More over, we love being able to teach our daughter the value of friendship and being kind and nurturing of those relationships.

I want to share one particular story about friendship. When my daughter was 4 months old we had already started considering childcare options for when I would go back to work (12 months old). Someone mentioned doing a nanny share, so I did a bit of research and looking around in our neighbourhood and low and behold we saw an ad for another family (literally around the corner) who was looking to share a caregiver situation.

So I quickly replied and we met shortly after at a local coffee shop. Literally, within 15 mins this other lady (we will call her “C” is now one of my closest friends) and I had shared way to much personal information, birthing stories and fears (you name it, we discussed it during that initial coffee date). Even crazier was the fact that our daughters were only two days apart in terms of birthdays and age. Our families since the Fall of 2013 have become very close. In fact C and I pretty much speak twice a day, first thing in the morning and just before bed. Who would have thought that this is where a Kijiji relationship would lead.

As a result of that ad, our two families welcomed into our homes a very special women, who took care of our children from 11 months old. She has taught them many things, and has helped them become independent beautiful little girls. Thanks to this amazing experience we have grown together as families, shared some important milestones and beginning the first week of April the girls will begin at the same nursery school. This is why I consider friendship one of my favourite things. You never know who you are going to meet and how you will connect.

There are many other examples, which I will share with you all in time. Who would have thought that the families you meet in the park will become some of the people you will turn to share with and rely on ….

I write this letter as I watch you sleeping soundly in the seat between Papa and I, your legs propped up on me as we travel home from our recent trip to western Canada.

So peaceful … so little. Simply beautiful.

This past week was the first time, since I returned to work after your birth that we spent some quality mama and daughter time together. And as I write this letter to you, I’m holding back tears. I share what I saw this week, only because it has struck me so hard and I am totally amazed by you. It may not have the same effect on others, but nonetheless I write this for you.

There is just so much I want to share about our week together, so many great memories and silly things you did (that laugh of yours is just so infectious!). But these are moments that only you and I will understand, and possibly only memories that I will have (as you may be just too young to remember).

It hit me this past week, that you were no longer a one year old but a little girl who was turning 2 in a short few months. People would ask me, how old is she? And I would hesitate each time because I wanted to say one. I would reply a bit delayed that you were 20 months. My mind couldn’t help but think that in four short months, your age would no longer be counted by months , but simply by years.

Life just seems to fast forward so quickly, and I also started to reflect on my life, my age, and I couldn’t help but wonder if your nanny (my mama) thought the same about me when I was that small.

As I awaited your arrival, after finding out I was pregnant, I had so many questions. I didn’t know how it would be, I didn’t know what sort of personality you would have or who you would resemble. Impatiently we waited for your arrival (10 days late to be exact), and every single day leading up to your birth and after, I sang to you “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine […]”. To this day, this song makes you smile.

When you arrived, you were beautiful, curious and just so independent. You were always wide eyed and didn’t miss a beat from day one. We loved that about you instantly (and even now), although at times it can be challenging.

Throughout your first year, among other things, we travelled lots, made lifelong friendships, sang songs, started swimming, and watched you take your first steps (running from day 1), and as a family, we celebrated your “birth-months” with a new cupcake. Before long, I was headed back to work and you to your caregiver. You know, that was truly a tough transition. I was so worried about you, but of course, I knew that you needed this as much as I did. It’s positive and healthy.

It isn’t that I didn’t see you growing and maturing over the last 8 months, it’s just that this past week week it was different. I didn’t have the busyness of life, chores and work. I could just focus on you. This past week it hit me hard — you are growing up. Some days, it doesn’t even seem like you are a toddler, but more like a little girl (… of course this changes when we are trying to cool a tantrum).

You show kindness, cooperation, politeness and compassion towards others and the baby doll you carried around Whistler rocking and singing (much like what we do for you.) You insisted that your doll also join us for “ski-ng” (as you would say it). This past week you asserted your independence, and it was noticed. In fact a few commented ” isn’t it great having such a confident little lady!” “I am so drawn to her personality”. You showed how courageous you were in the swimming pool, trying so hard to stay afloat on your own and insisting that Papa and I let you go.

It was really when you started speaking in short sentences over the last couple of weeks, reciting nursery rhymes like ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mister Sun, andThe Wheels on The Bus, and reciting lines from your favourite story books (Carl and his fly pancakes!) that I started to reflect on how much you have blossomed.

Little Emy, I look forward to many more moments like this with you over the years to come. Never loose that sparkle you have or the curiosity in the world around you.

My promise is to always love you, guide you and help you to grow into a little girl and a lady who holds unto all of these great little qualities that make you so special to us.

Love AlwaysYour Mama

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